A History of PA Steel

In 1972, with solid Metal Service Center experience and a lot of entrepreneurial gumption, Joe Dombrowski founded Pennsylvania Steel & Aluminum Company.

Beginning from a 2,500 sq. ft. warehouse in Huntington Valley Pennsylvania, and two trucks, Joe’s company offered hot-rolled, structural steel, and aluminum to Philadelphia manufacturers. He knew that a nimble company who provided fast service and attention to customer needs could succeed.

The business grew rapidly and in 1973 Joe acquired an additional 12,500 sq. ft. of warehousing space to allow for more inventory. This initial expansion marked the beginning of a logical and sustained pattern of growth for the company that continues to this day.

By the early 1980’s, with sales and inventory growing, Joe identified Cold Finished Bars as a product with the demand that extended well beyond the Philadelphia marketplace.
Pennsylvania Steel built inventory to follow that demand and along the way gained a national reputation as a product specialist.

To better reflect their market position, Pennsylvania Steel & Aluminum Company shortened its name to Pennsylvania Steel Company in 1988.

Expansion plans ramped up in 1993 when we relocated to an 80,000 square foot warehouse and office facility in Bensalem, PA. This facility remains the home base for the entire company.

Pennsylvania Steel made its first business acquisition in 1997 when it acquired, Lucas Metals located in York, PA. This significant expansion brought more Aluminum and Stainless Steel strength as well as doubling the market area into Central Pennsylvania.

2001 provided an opportunity to acquire a local Tool Steel Distributor. This expansion again broadened the inventory mix and customer base.

In 2003, Pennsylvania Steel did a greenfield expansion into northern New Jersey. This operation ultimately led to increasing the market footprint to include all of New Jersey as well as the greater New York City marketplace. As its regional footprint continued to expand, PSC also began broadening its product line to better meet the needs of its customers and the marketplace as a whole.

The New England Division was opened as a green-field operation in the summer of 2005, further extending the geographic marketplace.

September of 2007 saw the acquisition of Bethlehem Aluminum in Allentown, PA. The acquisition of this 40-year-old Aluminum specialist company broadened and strengthened Pennsylvania Steel’s position in the Aluminum market as well as northeastern Pennsylvania.

2011 and 2012 were busy years. In September 2011, PA Steel acquired Schwartz Steel, a 40-year-old Carbon Bar Specialist in Gastonia, NC. It then became the North Carolina Division. Shortly thereafter, in February of 2012, the Richmond VA Division was founded on the purchase of the Winchester Metals, located in Powhatan VA. In November of 2012, Metal Connections, an Aluminum Plate specialist in Long Island, NY, was acquired and became the Long Island Division.

The results of growth in 2011 and 2012 are now the North Carolina Division, Virginia Division, and Long Island Division. What were once three facilities totaling 45,000 square feet are now four locations totaling 175,000 square feet.

2016 began with the acquisition of Erie Metals, a cold-finished bar specialist in Berea, OH. In fall 2020, the Cleveland Division relocated to a larger warehouse in Cuyahoga Heights, OH.

The Pittsburgh marketplace opened for business in 2017. In 2018, they relocated to a larger warehouse in McKees Rocks.

Today, PSC provides seven strong core products with an abundance of diversity within each category. Joe’s company has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1972.

Success was not random though, as each expansion and acquisition was based on the original concept of teamwork, top-notch customer service, quality products at competitive prices, and next-day delivery. This philosophy has resulted in relationships with customers and vendors that have lasted over 50 years.

Today, PSC remains poised for more growth. Founder Joe Dombrowski still takes a hands-on approach to the business and drives the company’s success. His leadership team and staff are committed to carrying his legacy into the future.